Unilateral mastectomy & reconstruction
Comments
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Frostecat, I can't wait until I'm done.........
Fourminor, I haven't thought about the bra after the surgery, because I assumed the camisole I got when I first had the mastectomy would be good for this surgery as well. I guess it will have to do for now, since I'm broke.
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I had just bought 4 new bras shortly before I was DX'd, and it was a little painful putting them in the donation bag!
My symmetry, I think, is probably as close as I could hope for (though we always hope for perfect!). In a bra, they look pretty darn good. Naked, implant is higher and firmer, reduced side obviously more natural looking w/slight ptosis. The projection is different between the two - Very noticeable when bending forward. I have found that moulded cup bras fit me the best, as they hide that slight bit of asymmetry, but I did find a couple of unlined and lacy bras that fit pretty well also. I tried on soooo many bras....
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Frostecat-I had my lift at time of Uni too...but my PS put a small TE in mine to better get symmetry at exchange. I hope that will makes things easier. I see him this Friday to start discussing exchange-I cannot wait. It should be in December. Sounds like you ladies are doing well for the most part. I so want to get this show on the road. These TE's suck!
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Ok, question. I'm playing with forms (basically i need to take all the fluff out, just need the thick padding to create a normal shape), but i'm looking at the area under my armpit and it looks funny--obviously that's where the axillary tail of my breast used to live--and even with the form in, that just doesn't look right. Did your PS fill that out a bit with body fat or does that get addressed? It looks caved in.
Kudos to the women who go flat though. I'm amazed. I'm still scared to look in the mirror at myself naked.
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Today is Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day. Please visit our redeveloped section about Breast Reconstruction which includes the latest information on breast reconstruction techniques, before and after photos and new content topics. In addition we would also like to hear from our members about their decisions regarding breast reconstruction.
The Mods
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Fourminor, I had to have my husband hang a towel over the mirror for the first week when I went into the bathroom to shower. I finally put on my big girl panties one day and sucked it up and took a look, that was tough. I remember when I was in the hospital and the nurses would come in to check my dressings I had to turn my head sideways, and I remember saying "I can't look". It takes awhile, but soon you will be walking around nekkid like it's nothing. I guess at some point you realize it is what it is. I think the fat grafting will help with your area of concern.
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Frostecat--I kind of looked today. I mean, I did, I looked. And then, I looked away. What I saw was the TE is creating a small mound just where my breast used to sit maybe 20 years ago, or where it sits when its lifted into a good supportive bra. And I kind of knew that's what I was going to get. And a scar.
It sucks, but like you said, it is what it is. I just have to remember, it could have been a lot worse.
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good morning ladies,,,,, I hope everyone is moving right along with no complications,,,,, I am 1week post op, I have to wear a high impact support sports bra, 24/7.... I am having a problem with my lifted scar,,,, the bra of course has underwire, and it is right where my incision is,, there is no getting around it,although I had my lift done in July it is still quite tender and sore, and gets very "angry" red when irritated,,, any suggestions on this ladies? I have put a fleece piece of fabric along the incision line and that seems to help some, but nothin like taking it off and setting my UNI TATA free,,,lol,,,,I am feeling much better and don't know how I am going to stay down another week for healing,,, I am ready to do the dishes that no one can seem to do and leave me sitting here all day long looking at them!!!!! It is driving me crazy
,, Fourminor I sure hope you are feeling much better today hun,,,,Has anyone here had their lift further out than me and can help me kind of look for "how long" till the incision is no longer irritated?,,,,,,,,, I have about 30 bras myself was wondering what I should do with them,,,, healing hugz to all,,,,,,,J
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here are most if my bras post op
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I am trying to post my pics in the picture forum and it keeps telling me that file is to large, anyone know how to fix this? The pics of my bras posted with no proble
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Are those all bras just from post op time? And you can't wear them now? Just a no motion sports bra?
All I learned today from my post op check with PS is that I should keep some kind of bandage in my bra to avoid friction on the scar. And its true that when i tried one of the breast forms without the combine pad, it started to hurt. So I guess you've got something similar Jeanie. But I guess it doesn't matter so much what it is, so long as it prevents the bra from rubbing against your new scars. But I don't know how long this is going to go on for either.
I also was kind of upset to find out that my TE is only 400 ccs and I've already got 180 ccs in it. I don't know why so small, when I'm 32 DD, but I'm thinking it has to do with the radius of the TE and the diameter of my chest. I had big boobs, a small frame, and only a B cup muffin top. PS vetoed the DIEP on the basis of not being able to make a big enough breast to match. So I really am wondering why only a 400 cc TE. Maybe because of prior RT? I guess I'll find out next week when i go for a fill. (He was out this week.) Looks like I'll be getting a lift/reduce at some point too.
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Wish I could b there to help you with the dishes. I m on the opposite side of the States. Sorry to hear about your problem with the scar. The underwire bra probably rubs against the scar so it is constantly "angry". I had a blister ,caused by tight taping, near my arm pit that took longer time to heal because it was in an area that constantly get rubbed by the edge of the bra. What I found helpful was to make sure that the area does not get irritated by loosen up the string of the bra. In your case, maybe avoid wearing underwire for awhile or if you need to wear one, place something on opposite ends of the wire to prevent it from rubbing against the scar. The area is probably not completely heal yet. Btw, those are nice colorful selections.
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Hello, Ladies. I have been reading as I am a UNI. I have had two failed implants and am now scheduled for Lat Flap surgery. Jeaniebeanie, through all my surgeries I have had to wear an underwear bra because my native breast is large. To accommodate my "wounded" breast .... I took the underwire out of the bra on that side and left it in on the side that needed the support. It works quite well and does not put so much pressure on the implant side.
Hope you heal well!!
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oops,,,,, PRE op,,,,lol,,,,,
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great idea Texas!!!!! Wow,,,, how come I didn't think of that????? duh,,,,,dam Anastrozal, fog brain,,,,,don't think I will do that with new VS 65.00 bra though,,,lol,, not that crazy YET!!!! I did just find one on JCP that was Bali, double support cotton bra,,,, might go and check that out as soon as I can get a ride,,, dam,,,, feel sooooo helpless,,,, I hate relying on anyone! Thanks for the offer Loveroflife
i still haven't done them. Lol,, Healing Hugz to all,,,,,, J0 -
I had a uni in January 2010 after I had tried lumpectomy first and then re-excission. I did opt for reconstruction (with implant). I decided against doing anything on my "non-cancer" side including lift since I felt that at least it would be "me" and not something altered. Do I match? Not a tiny bit! Do I really care? Not really. From what my PS told me, if I ever decide I want it done, it will be covered anyway so I could go back later and do it at that time. I just was sick of docs and sick of surgeries and wanted to try to get a somewhat normal life back.
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OMG cutting out the underwire on one side is genius.
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Fourminor:
It is common to overfill TEs beyond their stated capacity, plus the final implants usually have significantly higher volume in cc's than the TEs. Speak to your PS, of course, but s/he may be planning to overfill and put in an implant much larger than 400cc.
I am kinda the opposite. I have a 650cc TE that is probably only going to get filled to 400cc or so!
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Fourimor - you should get a bottle of probiotics at drugstore to replenish your good gut flora... rite aid has them, cvs, walgreens, etc... cosco, and target ,,, YOU SHOULD ALWAYS TAKE 1 OR TWO DAILY WHEN TAKING ANY ANTIBIOTICS... - eating a container of yogurt is not enough to keep you from getting depleted of flora you need....I am big fan of acidophilis tablets from cvs or probiotic capsules from PharmaAssure at rite aid,,, also my GI doctor 10 yrs ago told me the refrigerated probiotics really are BEST - and he suggested brand COUNTRY LIFE at whole foods in refrigerated vitamin section they have,,, hope you rest and just really take things slow and rest and lie around and feet up and don't overuse or lift too much! I know that is hard,,, try to lie and rest and meditate on your new normal and dream about things you can look forward to soon..
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My PS is a big proponent of probiotics. I purchased some from his office, and they were the type to keep in the refrigerator. He suggested I continue on them even after all of this. He wasn't pushing his brand, just in general, he highly recommended them and said he takes them himself. I do believe it helped with any stomach issues I may or may not have had, because I didn't have a lot of problems with that through either surgery.
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I also have taken up sewing my own BRAS - ladies you can shorten straps as sometimes side with TE needs less snug strap and natural side may need to be shortened to LIFT her up more and it is easy to sew any of the seemless bras like to ST EVE bras from Kohl's or the Barely There or the Genie Bras - so don't throw them out if you feel they are too LOOSE - get your thread and needle out and figure out what can be done to make the BRA more comfortable for your own body,,,, I prefer to keep my bra tighter on my left side as that is my stronger shoulder - I had torn my right shoulder years ago and frozen shoulder and when I realized anything that is to tight over my uneven shoulder blades makes me feel queezy so I tend to get the Bandeau Bras - no wires and just fold them over about an inch in back but not centered - so for example - if looking at say 14 inch wide bandeau - the fold over would be an inch long and located about 4 1/2 to 5 inches in from left side and then I pull it up and adjust it so that it feels as comfortable as can be and then I wear a strapless long cotton tank top - like a long length cotton tube top that I found from The Mogan on Amazon for $9....... this combo holds me up and in place for work and when get home - I take off the bra - and put on a looser strapless tank top that I have made by cutting off the spaghetti straps so they are just strapless tanks (SO brand makes those at Kohl's_) most any straps bother me - so after having frozen shoulder I learned - my core likes having the tank on to keep me warm but the cheap thin spaghetti straps rub and bother me - viola - cut them off and cut out the elastic that is usually in the built in bra part - as those elastic usually dig in too - figure out what works if you feel up to customizing your own layering pieces,,, or the Tami Tank at Old Navy seems that style is a nice fit - cotton straps etc - but I do feel you can tailor your own bras and tanks so you get better comfort if you are not able to buy one off shelf that feels good for long...0 -
The recliner was my best friend after my surgery in May, and I'm sure I will use it again after my replacement surgery next month! It kept me from rolling back and forth and feeling pain every time I did. I'm not a good back sleeper - always on my side. So this solution worked great for me. I got a wedge from a friend and used that after about 6 weeks to be able to sleep in the bed again, but really, the recliner was way more comfortable!
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Frostecat, it sounds like you just did your replacement surgery - mine is next month. I was just reading all the scary material they throw at you to sign off on, and they talked about moving the nipple on the natural side when they do the lift/reduction. I guess I really hadn't thought about that part of it! I'm pretty nervous about that part - is it painful, do you lose feeling? Is anyone far enough post exchange/symmetry surgery to respond to this?
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Iswhatitis - Yes, they do. I said to the nurse I was afraid to do that too. I made a comment about "cutting off my nipple and moving it" she said well they don't really cut it off. It is more like a layer of skin. You can check out videos on youtube (I actually did not do that until after the fact). I wouldn't call it a walk in the park, it is painful, I'm not gonna lie. BUT, I am glad to have had it done. At my age, my breasts grew rather large and saggy, and after the lift/reduction I look and feel so much better. Eventually the scars and pain fade away. One area of discomfort is where they lipo'd under my armpit area, that still feels a little raw, but you may not need to have that either. You will have stitches all around your nipple, it is not a pretty site. I am 5 1/2 weeks out and still have some scabs there, but it is healing every day. My nipple is sore and sensitive, so no, I did not lose feeling.
I read here that some women are afraid to have the lift/reduction, but quite honestly after all that we have been through already, it's not that much more to throw on the pile. I couldn't have imagined NOT having it done, but then again each person is different with regards to their size etc. If I was on the small breasted side it wouldn't have been that much of an issue, but for me it was.
After having regrets about not proceeding with the BMX the first time around, I went into this surgery telling myself I don't want to have any regrets this time. I opted for the lift/reduction and by strong encouragement from my PS lipo on my stomach. Thankfully, at this point in time I have no regrets at what I chose to do and am glad I got it all over with in one shot, and not have to come back for some "tweaking" and another round of healing. God willing I won't have any future issues that would cause me to do that because I am over having surgeries. Which is why I am opting for no nip recon. I told them before they put me under, if you can make the nip, make it now because you are not getting me back in here. I will opt for the tattoo instead.
We all need to make our own choices and what is right for you, but I'm happy to share my experiences and thoughts.
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iswhatitis,,,,, I had my lift and nipple moved on July 17th,,,,, my nipple has healed and quite nicely I must say, not at all what I was expecting from the first looks,,,,,,I also did not lose sensation which I am extremely happy about as that was one of the major reasons I went with a Uni,,, I still wanted sensation . I will not lie,,, the nipple is a piece of cake,,, the lift I am finding is the worst for me,, the incision runs from the middle of my chest and runs along the bottom of my Breast to the middle of my armpit,,like an anchor they say,,,,, the incision is always irritated as it is right where the bra sits,,, and I am supposed to wear a bra 24/7. For the most part I have done that, I finally found a piece of material,too put along the incision so it isn't skin to bra,,, it is some relief but not enough for me,,,,, we are all different, I could not go through all this and not do a lift,,,,would I of done things differently?.... Nope,,make sure you ask a lot of questions, write them down so u don't forget , I was not ready for what I am going through as far as healing goes,, not bad at all when I don't have a bra on, but that is just for the shower,,, I cheated the other night and wore nothing but a tee shirt and it felt great, but I need my implant to stay high while it is healing,,, good luck whatever you decide,,,,' healing hugz to all,,,,,,,J
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I was shopping tonight and found a a really cool sweater, it had this cut out in the back there is no way you could wear a bra with it. Then I realized, I don't HAVE to wear a bra! haha If it weren't for back fat I would have bought it, but shopping for clothes is a whole new experience for me!
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jeaniebeanie:
Is the implant you need to stay high the one in the UMX breast, or the lifted breast? I read somewhere recently about a woman that used KT taping to lift one breast in order to avoid bra pain. Would probably only be helpful for you if it is the UMX breast that needs lifting.
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jeaniebeanie, what does your PS say about the irritated incision, at this point it should not be bothering you.
During my last revision I had a red spot that would not go away, one day I used a pin and opened (which I would not recommend anyone do) there I found the tip of 2 inch length of surgical thread, which I removed. I cleaned the area, it healed within days.
There may be something that is not allowing it to heal, by now you should be able to wear any bra. I agree with you, sleeping with no bra is the best feeling.
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iswhatis--find out from your PS what type of incision will be done for your lift. The donut incision was what I got....just around the areola. It was pretty easy to recover from and I kept all sensation. There is also the lollipop which is around the areola and then straight line down and there is the anchor which adds under the breast. Each is progressively more difficult to recover from but from what I hear from most, the lift/exchange is much easier than the MX no matter what incision is used. I was back to driving and caring for myself while DH at work within about 6 days.
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yes Flannery,,, it is the UNI Implant,,,,what is KT tape?,, if it works I could use it to lift my "lifted" side si it heals with no bra,,,hmmmmm,, liking this idea,,, Islandmom,,, I don't know other than it is irritated from the wearing of the bra,,,,,I had the anchor done,,, and it is the incision under the Breast that is giving me the problems,,,,, I see my PS on Wednesday and I will see what he says,, at this point I don't think I want an implant in that Breast as it will be another incision,,, I don't know y he didn't put a small implant in when he did the lift,,,,,,,
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